MotoGP is always an important test bed of development, with the turnover of new parts, brought to find that final tenth of a second, never-ending.
Ducati got the ball rolling during winter testing, premiering its eye-catching a radical external linkage system that extends from the base of the GP19 to the rear brake and new rear seat unit at the Jerez test in November. Those parts would not make the cut for the final race package, but not to worry. At Sepang Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci’s machines were fitted with the ‘holeshot device’ seen between the triple clamp, aimed at minimising front lift during a race start.
Then came the controversial swingarm device, first seen at the Qatar test, which was aimed primarily at reducing rear tyre temperature. Much to the chagrin of Honda, Suzuki, KTM and Aprilia, who felt the device provided aerodynamic benefits more than tyre temperature control, Ducati riders Dovizioso, Petrucci and Jack Miller raced with the device. When the device’s legality was clarified, Honda and Aprilia tested a similar device in Austin, with Yamaha introducing its own at Jerez.
Jorge Lorenzo’s difficulties aboard Honda’s RC213V led to HRC engineers bringing a variety of fuel tank shapes, aimed at making the Majorcan feel more comfortable on the bike, especially in braking areas. The #99’s tank and seating unit nearly changed by the weekend. Each one had different external supports, a feature also seen on Ducati’s array of GP19s.
Jorge Lorenzo’s difficulties aboard Honda’s RC213V led to HRC engineers bringing a variety of fuel tank shapes, aimed at making the Majorcan feel more comfortable on the bike, especially in braking areas. The #99’s tank and seating unit nearly changed by the weekend. Each one had different external supports, a feature also seen on Ducati’s array of GP19s.
With all 2019 Hondas featuring a carbon swingarm, KTM debuted its own version of the part for Pol Espargaro in France. There was an instant upturn in results, as the Catalan rode to an astonishing sixth place, just six seconds off race winner Marquez.
Yamaha and Suzuki’s development through the year has been conservative, with Valentino Rossi sampling a new exhaust, aimed at reducing the M1’s top speed disadvantage, in Barcelona. Alex Rins tried a new chassis at the post-race test at Montmeló and a swingarm device, only to break it soon after it was fitted.